Golf: Patrick Reed leads at Doral, but Tiger Woods makes charge

In only his second year on the PGA Tour, Patrick Reed already is used to playing in the final group Sunday -- and winning.

But not against a field of stars at a World Golf Championship tournament. And not looking at a familiar figure in a red shirt playing in the group ahead of him at the Cadillac Championship.

Reed, 23, shot a 3-under 69 on Saturday in much tamer conditions at Doral (Fla.) and wound up with a two-stroke lead going into a final round that will prominently feature Tiger Woods for the first time this year.

Woods, the defending champion who only a day earlier looked to be on the verge of shooting himself out of the tournament, delivered the low round of the week and his best round of a short season. He made eight birdies for a 66 and was only three shots behind along with Jamie Donaldson (71).

"Whenever he's close to the lead, he's a guy you have to watch out for," Reed said of Woods. "But at the same time, I have to go and just play my own game."

He did that beautifully on a sunny afternoon with not nearly as much wind on the new Blue Monster. Reed rolled in a 40-foot eagle putt on No. 8. He also drove the green on the par-4 16th for a two-putt birdie that gave him the outright lead.

Jason Dufner (68) and Hunter Mahan (71), who bogeyed his last hole, shared second place.

Reed, who was at 4-under 212, will be going for his third title in his last 14 tournaments, dating to the Wyndham Championship in August. He will be in the final group with Dufner, the most recent major winner (PGA Championship). Right ahead will be Woods and Mahan.

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Woods made three birdie putts of 15 feet or longer on the back nine, including a 35-footer on the par-5 15th. His goal was to get back to even par for the tournament and hope to be within five shots of the leader.

"It was nice to get back in the tournament again," Woods said. "I held it together Friday -- a long day, tough day -- and that gave me a chance."

The lack of big wind helped with scoring and attitudes Saturday. The average score was 72.6, compared with 76.0 in the second round.

"Now it's playing more like a normal course," Woods said.

Hideki Matsuyama apologized to Ian Poulter and the other two players behind him for damaging the 13th green in the second round. In a series of tweets, Poulter called Matsuyama an "idiot." Matsuyama missed a 7-foot par putt Friday and slammed his putter into the green, leaving what one caddie described as a half-inch gash. The two were playing partners Saturday, and Matsuyama shook hands with Poulter and apologized.